Italian research on co-existence and traceability

In order to investigate the potential GMO contamination of Italian agriculture, as well as to investigate methods for the co-existence of different agricultural systems, COOP-Italy has started a field trial in collaboration with the National Interuniversity Consortium for Environmental Sciences (CINSA) .

The out-crossing of GM maize on two fields in Emilia-Romagna and in Tuscany was analysed in a study from CINSA, ordered by COOP-Italy. To simulate GM plants, the researchers used a conventional variety with a coloured phenotype.

To measure the distance of pollen movement, a further study was ordered by the Italian National Research Council and the Ministry of the Environment. Islands of maize were planted at predefined distances and separated by uncultivated ground.